England's Everton Pursue Loan Deal for Galaxy's Donovan & More
The loan deal for Landon Donovan would be of the short-term variety, similar to what he did earlier this year with Bayern Munich.
It would be a good shop window for Donovan as he either seeks a foreign club or strengthen his bargaining position with MLS over an improved contract.
Everton have little money to spend so it's unlikely to become permanent, but Everton manager David Moyes, who has worked with the likes of Brian McBride at the club level in the past, at least respects Americans more than your average English coach (or knows a good, relatively inexpensive deal when he sees one). Details here.
BTW, I should note Donovan (who is apparently on his way to Hawaii for a vacation as I write this) updated his Facebook page back on Dec. 1 thusly:
Just wanted to send a quick note regarding the Club America rumors. I certainly am interested but haven't heard anything yet...we'll see what happens.
Also:
*The alumni magazine of the University of Washington catches up with former Galaxy player Ty Harden to talk to him about his unusually selfless career move. The Galaxy's 2007 Defender of the Year player returned to MLS with the Colorado Rapids this year, playing in seven games.
*Lastly, former Sol defender Martina Franko (she was traded to the expansion Philadelphia Independence in October) and Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc are among nine nominees for the women's Canadian Player of the Year Award. (The other nominees are forward Christine Sinclair and Candace Chapman of FC Gold Pride, Sky Blue FC midfielder Kelly Parker, Washington Freedom goalkeeper Erin McLeod, Carmelina Moscato - who plays in Italy - and Rhian Wilkinson and Diana Matheson, who both play club soccer in Norway.
There's also a men's award with the usual suspects including Julian de Guzman and Dwayne De Rosario of Toronto FC.
Voting began today and runs through Dec. 20.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Being a Chivas USA and USMNT supporter, I've always had strong negative feelings about LD. He is my "C. BLANCO"... I love to root against him at the club level, and I always HOPE he proves me wrong at the NT level.
But if he goes to Everton, works hard and doesn't pout or vanish in games, I'll come back on this blog and give three cheers for LD, because it will make his NT performance better.
I've said for the last three years that a move to a non-superstar filled team would be LD's best move. He doesn't need to go to Europe and be a champion. He needs to go to Europe and get on a blue collar team with a bunch of players at or near his ability, and play against teams with players of greater ability on a week-in week out (not once every world cup cycle) basis. The challenge of playing in those conditions will bring out the best in LD (not playing a few friendlies with Bayern Munich against sub-par opponents).
But of course, if he doesn't go, then it just re-affirms the idea that he wants to be the big fish in the little pond.
I seriously wonder whether going to any European team for a short-term loan would be good for Donovan at this stage. In soccer terms, he's middle-aged. Unless he hopes to impress Everton enough to encourage an outright transfer, all he would be doing would be expending energy that he would need for the World Cup. He had a pretty full schedule last year, w/WC qualifying and Confederations Cup. This isn't like Beckham being intimidated by Capello to go to Milan or else not be considered for a place on England's national team. Donovan doesn't have to go.
I'm with JDH: he doesn't have to go, and going might wear him out some. Donovan was an impact player in the Confed Cup from his base in the MLS.
Were we watching the same ConfedCup?
Maybe these stats will help put into focus who the dominant USMNT Player was (Here's a hint... he plays in England).
Name.....MP.....MinP....GF...PEN.....GSI....GSO...ASS
DEMPSEY...5.....448.....3.....0.......3......0.....1
DONOVAN...5.....450.....2.....1.......2......0.....1
DAVIES... .4.....265.....1.....0.......1......0.....1
ALTIDORE..5.....353.....1.....0.......0......1.....0
If LD doesn't convert a penalty, then he did as much as Davies and Altidore.
Sitting and resting will make his game sharper? Seriously? Then we should have Howard, Guzan, Altidore, Feilhaber,Spector,Bradley, Pierce, and Bocanegra all stop playing in Europe?
Did LD's stint at Bayern Munich wear him down for the 2009 MLS season and WC Qualifying?
PocketKing, I'm thinking you didn't watch the same Confed Cup. You can have your stats - I'll go by what I saw with my own eyes. Landon Donovan was the driving force for the US in the Confed Cup (and World Cup Qualifying). He showed up in all the games. It's not just about scoring goals.
If you love him, then keep lovin' him... He's a good player: technically sound, quick, sees the game, but under intense pressure... well, I'll say questionable. Just because Honda wants to give him an award every year (is it because he has name recognition?) does mean I'm convinced.
Would anyone want to make the argument that Freddy Adu is on the same path (good MLS player, but doesn't make it in Europe... suppose to be a creative leader on the pitch but fails to impress in the big USMNT games). I like Freddy, but I'm not ready to call him the greatest US player.
Well, like I said earlier... if he goes and doesn't wilt under the pressure, then I'll start drinking the Kool-ade (or at least stop complaining about everyone who is drinking it).
Until then, Landon = Blanco...